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How it all began

A blue eyed boy grew up 977 miles away from the brown eyed girl from that little Minnesota town. 23 years and 3280 miles later they happened to find each other playing volleyball in a town that neither lived in. 

 Lisa moved from Minnesota to the bay area after college in January of 2000 to be a teacher and to be closer to her siblings that already lived in the area.  She spent a lot of time with her sister's family in San Mateo, and happened to find a group of people playing softball and volleyball in the San Mateo recreational leagues.

 Josh moved down the coast from Oregon, for his first job after college in June of 2000.  For the first few months, he was living in San Mateo.  Not long before he moved up to live in San Francisco, a neighbor, Tim, approached him about playing in a volleyball league.

 So Lisa and Josh met through a recreational volleyball team that played once a week.  Josh always looked forward to volleyball and drinks when Lisa was going to be there.  Even after Lisa moved 20 miles South (the opposite direction of Josh), she continued the league, and not just for drinks!  Living 50 miles apart they didn't really get a chance to see each other outside of volleyball.  To fix that Josh would suggest that everyone join him in San Francisco for some fun outdoor volleyball in the park.  But Lisa was never able to make it.  Unfazed, Josh also asked if she wanted to join him at other gyms and other games.  That never really happened either.  But eventually, Lisa's hectic schedule had an open weekend.  She asked if Josh wanted to meet in the park to play.  And thus, Lisa takes credit for asking Josh out :)

Finally!  Lisa and Josh play volleyball in the park all afternoon.  Afterwards, Josh invited Lisa to stay in the city for dinner... Their first date!  They visited Bella Pizza for a quick bite before trying to catch a glimpse of the Chinese new year parade.  Even though they missed the parade China-town still provided some fun walking, talking, and interesting shopping.  Afterwards, they visited a pool hall where Josh proceeds to "let Lisa win" the first game.  But he cleaned house on the next couple. :)  Josh really knows how to show a girl a good time!

 Fast forward three years past countless concerts, road trips, camping trips, a trip to Hawaii, precious time with friends and family, and too much fun to express here.  On their third anniversary, February 2004, Lisa and Josh had plans to go out to dinner to celebrate.  They had reservations for the Grand View restaurant, a very nice place over looking San Jose that they had visited once before.  Josh had to hide the ring in his jacket the entire night, and couldn't even offer his jacket to Lisa as they stood outside in the cold.  As dinner wrapped up, Josh pulled out the ring and before he could even ask, Lisa was grabbing for the ring, squirming in her seat and squealing, "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme!".  Josh made her say 'Yes', first.

 On July 1st, 2006 We hope you will join us for the exciting conclusion to "How it all began" which will coincidentally also be the exciting beginning to our lives together .